Sink and Float - Water Science for Preschools

Sink and Float is probably the simplest and most known water experiment. Water is essential for life on earth. Without it no creatures or plants could survive. I included in this section everything preschoolers need to know about the properties of water as well as some easy hands on experiments. Regardless if it is in front of the kitchen sink, in the bath or outside after a rainy day, I encourage you to simply give your children lots of water T.I.M.E.

Property 1: Water can change its form.

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Depending on temperature, water can turn from liquid to solid ice and from liquid to steam (gas).

Experiments:

Turn water into ice cubes - Let the children touch the water as a liquid. Is it cold? wet? dry? What does it feel like as ice? Compare the two. Boil water - Put a pot cover over a boiling water pot. Remove the cover and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Notice how it has water drops on it? The steam turned to liquid again.

Property 2: Water can change shapes.

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Since water is a liquid it takes the form of whatever object it is in.

Experiments:

Glasses and Water - Take a variety of glasses (shapes and sizes). Place the same amount of water in each. Ask the children which glass has more? Pour one glass at a time into a measuring cup and show the children that all glasses had the same quantity of water.

Property 3: Water sticks to itself.

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Use wax paper to show children how a drop of water stays together like a ball.

Experiments:

1. Put a sheet of wax paper under the faucet. Remove it. Is the wax paper wet? NO! The wax on the paper does not let the paper absorb the water.

2. Put a couple of drops on the wax paper. Can you roll them off?

Property 4: Water sticks to other objects.

Use a regular piece of paper to teach the children how water sticks together.

Experiments:

1. Fill a cup with water.

2. Place one end of the strip of paper inside the water and hold the other end.

3. The water travels up the paper because it sticks to it!

Does water stick to you??

It actually does! That's why your fingers are all wrinkled when you soak in a bath.

Property 5: Water flows.

Since water is able to stick together, it can flow. Did you know that water always flows to the lowest point available? This is why we have puddles and why all river flow to the ocean.

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